Influencing today’s culture

I grew up with movies like Boy’s Town, Bells of St. Mary’s, Spartacus and Ben-Hur. Feature films were devoid of four letter words. Actors kept their clothes on. You coud see love in their eyes. Sexual tension was the climax of a scene not beginning. Actors and actresses stayed married to the same spouse. We looked to them for more than just the latest fashions. We looked to them as role models. They exemplified good moral character both on and off the screen. I wanted to grow up to become “Charlton Heston”. I still find myself quoting his lines from Ben-Hur to make sense out of life

That was yesterday.

Today too many of those we see in the movies we see moving to divorce courts, rehab centers or jail. Celebrity gossip fuels an multi-billion dollar industry. Too often these “rich and famous” complain of empty lives. In some cases their success can be fatal. Scripture verses like “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his immortal soul” never rang more true.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

It shouldn’t have to be this way.

One acting studio is devoting itself to changing the culture of acting for the better.

It’s starting by reclaiming the name of the city synonymous with the film industry: “Holy Wood.” (For those who don’t know: “Hollywood” was originally “Holy Wood”, named for the cross of the crucified Christ.)

Holy Wood Acting Studio recognizes the power that actors have to influence society. It doesn’t believe their behavior should simply be a reflection of it.

As its website puts it, its mission “is to turn out actors who will lead the way towards a moral center for the movie and television industry…and prepare them to take a leading role in guiding these great media to that moral center that, in the past, proved that fictional drams can be honest, entertaining, popular and influential. ”

To accomplish this, Holy Wood will build what it calls the “Four Pillars” of success in acting – training in the art itself, leadership, personal and moral growth, and physical fitness.

To accomplish this, CEO, Carlos Espinosa, has gathered the best acting, leadership. spiritual and fitness coaches he could find.

To accomplish this, Holy Wood will advocate the Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body”, the approach to spirituality that emphasizes individual dignity, the complimentary roles of men and women, and how romantic love can only find fulfillment in marriage.

Holy Wood opened its doors in Culver City March 25th.

This new acting studio with spiritual vision will limit its initial class to 50 enrollees.

If its vision is realized perhaps my grandchildren will want to grow up to be the Holy Wood actors they see in the movies.